TY - JOUR
AR - AJSCR-2021-1-102
TI - A “Floating Glenoid” after a Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Case Report  with Literature Review
AU - Simon N, Bell
AU - Maxim U.S.I. , Christmas
AU - Jennifer, A. Coghlan
JO - American Journal of Surgical Case Reports
PY - 2021
DA - Tue 29, Jun 2021
SN - 2674-5046
DO - http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.AJSCR.2021.01.02
UR - https://www.sciencerepository.org/a-floating-glenoid-after-a-reverse-total-shoulder-arthroplasty_AJSCR-2021-1-102 
KW - Stress fracture, reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, glenoid
AB - A shoulder replacement for cuff tear arthropathy was the original indication of the reverse total shoulder 
arthroplasty (rTSA). However, over time, this particular concept of shoulder arthroplasty has found new 
indications for other pathologies such as complex proximal humeral fractures and irreparable rotator cuff 
tears with rotator cuff arthropathy. Retensioning of the deltoid muscle is a vital step during this procedure 
in order to restore active elevation however, this can be potentially problematic since it results in anatomical 
changes and often times increases the stress forces across the acromion. We experienced a rare case of an 
84-year-old female presenting with an extensive fracture resulting in a “floating glenoid” after reverse total 
shoulder arthroplasty via a deltopectoral approach. In our case, the patient presented with gradual onset pain 
in the posterior shoulder with point tenderness over the acromion, which worsened during active joint 
movement. The patient was definitively managed with surgical removal of the glenoid implants and 
conversion to a hemiarthroplasty. While there are existing strategies for preventing fractures of this nature, 
further research is still necessary to establish best management guidelines of these fracture complications 
associated with rTSA in order to achieve optimal outcomes.